Faculty Awards

Dr. Issa is an Advanced Oncologic Head and Neck Surgery Fellow in the Department of Otolaryngology after completing his residency at Pitt last spring. During his time at Pitt he has had direct involvement in the ENT presence at the Birmingham Free Clinic in Pittsburgh, as well as multiple internal mission work trips

Dr. Kubik is an Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery. Dr. Kubik’s primary clinical interests include oncologic surgery for tumors of the head and neck region, including skull base, thyroid, and salivary gland. He has a specific clinical expertise in microvascular reconstruction following trauma or cancer surgery. His research interests include human papilloma virus (HPV) related oropharyngeal cancer, optimizing functional outcomes following microvascular reconstruction, and robotic surgery.

NextGenET is a simplified endotracheal tube that prevents ventilator-associated pneumonia. Dr. Snyderman co-invented this product along with Garrett Coyan, the chief cardiothoracic surgery resident at UPMC. Dr. Snyderman also took third prize in the Randall Family Big Idea Competition at the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute for his project on Intelligent Superimposed Point-Marking Interface (ISPI).

Lori Zitelli, AuD won an Early-Career Audiologist Award from the American Academy of Audiology. These awards are awarded to an individual with less than 10 years of experience who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of audiology. Lori Zitelli joined the staff of audiologists at the UPMC Eye & Ear Institute in 2012. Her special interests include amplification, diagnostic testing, tinnitus treatment, intraoperative cochlear implant testing, and interventional audiology. She teaches the Clinical Procedures Lab for first year audiology students at the University of Pittsburgh.

Nominated by Dr. Phuong Nguyen, Dr. Nance is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Otolaryngology. She is also the ENT Section Chief, Staff Physician, Researcher, and Assistant Chief of Surgery for Resident Education at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh.

Ms. Lyons has worked with Wesley Family Services for many years, volunteering, fundraising, and advocating for the organization’s work. She served on the Board of Family Services of Western PA (FSWP) for seven years, including three as chair while FSWP merged with Wesley Spectrum to become Wesley Family Services.

This award recognizes Dr. Wang as a top UPMC provider by specialty in the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Clinician and Group Survey (CG-CAHPS). The survey assesses patients’ experiences with health care providers and staff in doctors’ offices. The CAHPS program is a multi-year initiative of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Its purpose is to support investigator-led research to better understand patient experience with health care.

This grant has allowed the group to hire a Head & Neck Reconstruction research fellow. Dr. Moroni is the recipient of the Synthes research scholarship this year. She has dedicated a portion of her research time to study health disparities in head and neck cancer outcomes and cost-effectiveness analysis of treatment modalities. She is also spearheading a cadaver and clinical study assessing the impact of virtual fracture reduction in mandibular trauma.